THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

24 March 2015

BLOG #251

Oh my goodness..........I feel like I've been trying to write this for weeks and I can't think of a witty, pithy or even informative title so hence the number. Sorry. Where is the time going? Since we last 'spoke', OB has had his 11th birthday and his tic suppression exercises from Great Ormond Street have been all consuming. His progression has been amazingly speedy, thanks to that young sponge of a brain no doubt, but it can take up all our spare time. The longer he does it for, the less time there is for anything else and he's been doing some incredible times; some over an hour. Also, I seem to be plagued with things not working which then need sorting out with emails or phone calls. Jack's spray collar malfunctioned after one use and, having had a very snotty email from the company I bought it from which was totally uncalled for; I was extremely polite suggesting that the fact that the box had obviously been previously opened was unacceptable, I then got through to the manufacturers. A lovely woman there told me to whack it on the table and stick a biro in the nozzle. Job done. Let's hope it has an effect now....

I saw the specialist diabetic nurse at the hospital last week, who was absolutely lovely and ordered me some new insulin pens on which I can dial up half units. This will be really helpful as someone who is, as she put it, very insulin sensitive. They also have a digital readout on the end that tells you what you last injected and how long ago it was. This may sound unnecessary but I quite often go into ground hog day mode and can't remember if I've injected or not. So, even if I don't get the pump I want, at least I now have some jaunty red pens. This morning I was able to order the blood glucose monitoring system I've been waiting for since December. Yesterday the company's computer system crashed with the huge volume of us trying to place our orders! Very excited. Will report back as to how it's going.

Right, some photos. Mrs Woodpecker is much less shy than her male partner and has let me get quite close to the window to photograph her. Isn't she beautiful?

I've had a few encounters with the beautiful dun pony over the last few weeks. She comes straight up to me and definitely wants attention. I'm wondering if she might have been abandoned; there are no other ponies like her and she suddenly appeared with a group I know well. I've never seen a dun coloured pony in this area. There's nothing more engaging that an animal who seeks out your attention and I'd love to pop her in my pocket and take her home.

A couple of last year's foals checking out the dogs:

Two of the three sisters:

Sheltering from the wind:

When I was talking to our local Peregrine expert after my sighting, I asked if they would take a Golden Plover because I keep finding feathers in the area where I often photograph them. He said they definitely would and that they would leave feathers intact rather than crushing them as a fox might. I often find wing feathers, which are nice, but fairly ordinary. These, however, are the tiny ones that make up the stunning triangle markings on their breasts. I took them home.

Meadow Pipits turning their backs on me:

An unusually lone Starling which was just sitting in the grass:

Wood Pigeon preening:

Jack being Jack:

I love the colours in this one, even if it is just a rock. Kestor is in the distance out of focus:

It's been slightly foggy recently, particularly around the time of the eclipse, and the light has been beautiful through it.

Last Friday swailing took place just outside our hamlet and up and around Kestor. The next morning the ponies and sheep were on it looking for new shoots. It stank for days.

On Friday we also found out that, despite hours and hours of form filling, Devon County Council have refused our request for a Statutory Assessment for OB. Everyone is pretty disappointed after so much hard work but we have to move forward and hope that his secondary school can provide what he needs within a non-statutory framework. God - I'm starting to sound like them. I have high hopes of the school and we CAN reapply if things don't work out, but it's definitely a set back. We'll keep fighting.....

So, until next time here are the boys, one of whom will be back in training today. Have a lovely week and I'm off to try and catch up with some of your blogs....a rare treat!

68 comments:

As always, your photos are a marvel--fur and feathers, each blade of grass and each leaf, so distinct and close.Dealing with a chronic illness/condition, whether in ones' self or a family member has to be nearly all-consuming. I'm glad there are innovations in treatment--and that you have these moments of respite to walk on the moor.

Oh Em, what a lot has been going on in your life, and I'm sure I'm only one of so many blog friends who wishes you well (wishes you the best) in these avenues of life and decisions - and other people's decisions. Your blog is full of honesty and uplift - a tonic. Your photos always bring a smile to my face. The Woodpecker is FABULOUS. We saw 6 Green ones at the w/e (sounded like about 20!), but sadly have only heard the wood-tapping of our local Greater Spotteds in the garden ... Oh - and thank you for visiting my blog!

Though the female woodpecker is beautiful, the pony photos do it for me. Glad you are getting things done over diabetic problems, though not given a pump which is a pity, know they use them for children in America. Good for OB he has a goal to work towards now and that will engage his mind......

As winter goes on all the birds on the feeders grow more comfortable with us, and that surely goes for the woodpeckers. We have downy, hairy and red bellied and red headed using the feeder. By this time of the year the watch me warily as we go by, but seldom fly away as I go into the house, passing them ten feet away.

Since finding your blog Em I always like to sit with my lunch and ponder on your lovely photographs whilst I am sat in a hot office. The Woodpeckers are glorious aren't they and I love those ponies and your boys goes without saying. It's great that OB is getting on so well with his tic suppression therapy and that it seems to be working for him and that he will benefit ten fold as time goes on. Also good that you are getting sorted out with your diabetes. Look forward to your next post.

HI Em Loved reading your post today and hearing all your news. Pity about OS school but you never know it might be OK. The pony shots are all gorgeous and I also love the misty shots and of course the dogs are always a favourite of mine.

I don't know whether to be happy or furious, happy that you got the pens and that the work with OB is going so well, furious about the collar and the assessment thing!! Of course I have no business really being involved in either as I am just a blog reader, but these difficulties do make me cross! I know that you will keep going though!! The ponies are beautiful aren't they, such lovely shots, especially the dun coloured one that has let you get so close up!! xx

As usual, fantastic photographs Em - lovely the close-up hairy ponies.Congratulate OB on his exercises. The farmer has balance problems and does his exercises every day without fail and his balance has improved enormously. I am sure you are immensely proud of OB - tell him so from me.

ADORE the Woodpecker. You have taken so many fabulous photos of her.Ours are so different. The Gila Woodpecker is black and white stripes and a perfect red dot on their heads. I hope the most beautiful pony was not dumped ! She is beautiful. I hope the group accepted her.Good luck to OB. Tell him for me good job !

The male one has a red spot on HIS head so it must be a woodpeckery thing across the world! The group have definitely accepted the little dun pony but she's completely different from them, wanting to be handled and chasing after me fr quite a way before returning to them.

Both the deliveries here over the last couple of days have been damaged/faulty and we've had to complain. Curtain fixings and a propagator. It takes up so much time, photographing the problem and writing emails. And then the further delays to the work we need to get done. Love the woodpecker pics, I know how hard they are to get.

Exactly...SO much wasted time. I was printing OB's birthday thank you cards today and it took over an hour because the laptop kept disconnecting the WiFi. Absolutely infuriating. I should have just photocopied them. Mrs Woodpecker is proving quite an easy capture these days, unlike her partner! x

That must have been a blow about OB's statement assessment.May I wish OB a belated birthday wishes xx He is doing so well with his exercises and they sound like they are helpful. Well done OB!Beautiful bird photos as always, I'm like you, I pick up and keep found feathers but Ifind it trickyto work out what sort of bird they came from.The dun pony is lovely, she has a rather Highland look.

Your photos are always stunning! I love the hairy ponies (thelwells) but my favourites are the woodpecker pics. We had a pair regularly visiting our garden where we have some old fruit trees they seemed to like, but they stopped coming about 12 months ago and I miss those lovely colours.

Hi Em, don't really know much about what's going on in your life as I'm quite new to your blog, but you seem to have your hand's full, I wish you well..

The photos you have posted are wonderful, great shots of the Woodpecker and I just love the shots of the dun pony, it's coat matches the bleakness of the landscape, the Meadow Pipit and misty shots all great...Amanda xx

Hands very much full but I know friends whose hands are more full so I try and keep things in perspective. TRY anyway....you wouldn't have believed me if you'd heard me shrieking expletives this afternoon as I couldn't get the printer to work! x

Post #251 is a good one, because all your photos are so brilliant. Well done to OB for getting on with the treatment but a shame about the bureaucracy, you do sound busy but thank you for sharing Dartmoor with us all. Hope you have a rest over the Easter hols

Unfortunately, the world descends on this area over Easter so I spend a lot of time cursing as I try and get the dogs out without clashing with people or their canines. Jack isn't great with strangers and Snippet isn't great with other dogs!

That Woodpecker is just amazing Em. Yesterday I was at a nature reserve where there are lots of Woodpeckers but as I sneaked in on them to take a picture they took off. The captures of the ponys are wonderful in that amazing landscape. Good to read that OB is getting on so well with his tic suppression therapy. Thank you to find the time to visit my blog and liking the photos of the Wren.Take care and have a nice day.Roos

Em you photos are stunning as usual, especially the woodpecker, I haven't seen ours since so it's great to see your photos. Such beautiful birds. I do hope you get things sorted for OB, it really shouldn't be such a battle.

Hope the exercises OB is doing from GOSH are helping. Have you seen any changes? The dun pony is so sweet, I can see why you would want to take her home and I love those amazing photographs of the woodpecker, simply stunning close up shots.

Your photos are always absolutely stunning Em. They make me eager to get back to the Moors. So good to hear the exercises are helping OB but sounds like the beurocracy is still mighty challenging. Have a great week :)

I'm glad that OB is making progress with the exercises even though it is taking up so much of your time. How frustrating that Devon CC have rejected your request. Has your glucose monitoring equipment arrived yet? We were down on Dartmoor last week the Dun pony looks so similar to one that we saw. Such lovely images as always. Sarah x